Here's a look back at South Sudan's two years as a country, in pictures.

1

Children dance during Martyrs' day on July 30, 2012 in Juba. For the second time since the secession from Sudan, South Sudanese came to commemorate the 7th anniversary of Martyrs' day in rememberance of the soldiers who lost their life during the war against Sudan.

(CAMILLE LEPAGE - AFP/Getty Images)

2

A Sudanese man sits outside his home as children carry food to cook, on July 20, 2012 in Juba, South Sudan. After breaking away from Sudan last year, South Sudan recently celebrated it's first independence anniversary. Over the past year repeated conflict with North Sudan, corruption scandals and economic difficulties have plagued the new country. Further problems caused by the shutdown of its oil production have led to a sharp decline in its currency and a rise in the price of food and fuel. South Sudan is one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world.

(Paula Bronstein - Getty Images)

3

A mother holds her baby waiting for medical attention at the Juba Teaching hospital July 19, 2012 in Juba, South Sudan. South Sudan recently celebrated it's first anniversary of independence from Sudan. Repeated conflict with North Sudan, corruption scandals and economic difficulties have plagued the new country over the past year. Further problems caused by the shutdown of its oil production have led to a sharp decline in its currency and a rise in the price of food and fuel.

(Paula Bronstein - Getty Images)

4

The wife of a man who died grieves as her husband is buried in a field July 19, 2012 in Jamam refugee camp, South Sudan. Up to 16,000 refugees are in the process of being moved due to flooding in the camp as the rainy season causes problems with the flooded fields around the tents. Jamam refugee camp is approximately 80k from the North Sudan border. There are currently three refugee camps in the Upper Nile area housing 107,000 refugees from the Engassana region coming from North Sudan. South Sudan recently celebrated its first independence anniversary. Over the past year repeated conflict with North Sudan, corruption scandals and economic difficulties have plagued the new country. Further problems caused by the shutdown of its oil production have led to a sharp decline in its currency and a rise in the price of food and fuel. South Sudan is one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world.

(Paula Bronstein - Getty Images)

5

Students attend classes at the Ephatha Primary school July 18, 2012 in Juba, South Sudan. South Sudan recently celebrated it's first anniversary of independence from Sudan. Repeated conflict with North Sudan, corruption scandals and economic difficulties have plagued the new country over the past year. Further problems caused by the shutdown of its oil production have led to a sharp decline in its currency and a rise in the price of food and fuel.

(Paula Bronstein - Getty Images)

6

A picture taken on August 1, 2012 shows a young Sudanese posing at a rubbish dump in the South Sudanese capital, Juba. The increase of prices in South Sudan makes life very difficult for south sudanese people, some of them have no other choice but to pick up food or find and sell iron from rubbish dump areas.

(CAMILLE LEPAGE - AFP/Getty Images)

7

A woman carries a bucket of water to her house as a rainbow arcs across the sky, on July 20, 2012 in Juba, South Sudan. After breaking away from Sudan last year, South Sudan recently celebrated it's first independence anniversary. Over the past year repeated conflict with North Sudan, corruption scandals and economic difficulties have plagued the new country. Further problems caused by the shutdown of its oil production have led to a sharp decline in its currency and a rise in the price of food and fuel. South Sudan is one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world.

(Paula Bronstein - Getty Images)

8

A motorcycle taxi makes its way past garbage on the ground at the busy Konyo Konyo city market in Juba, South Sudan. South Sudan recently celebrated it's first anniversary of independence from Sudan. Repeated conflict with North Sudan, corruption scandals and economic difficulties have plagued the new country over the past year. Further problems caused by the shutdown of its oil production have led to a sharp decline in its currency and a rise in the price of food and fuel.

(Paula Bronstein - Getty Images)

9

Sudanese mothers gather for a therapeutic feeding for their malnourished babies at the MSF ( Medecins Sans Frontieres ) field hospital July 17, 2012 in Jamam refugee camp, South Sudan. Up to 16,000 refugees are in the process of being moved due to flooding in the camp as the rainy season causes problems with the flooded fields around the tents. Jamam refugee camp is approximately 80k from the North Sudan border. There are currently three refugee camps in the Upper Nile area housing 107,000 refugees from the Engassana region coming from North Sudan. South Sudan recently celebrated it's first independence anniversary. Over the past year repeated conflict with North Sudan, corruption scandals and economic difficulties have plagued the new country. Further problems caused by the shutdown of its oil production have led to a sharp decline in its currency and a rise in the price of food and fuel. South Sudan is one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world.

(Paula Bronstein - Getty Images)

10

A Sudanese girl jumps rope outside her tent July 16, 2012 in Jamam refugee camp, South Sudan. Up to 16,000 refugees are in the process of being moved due to flooding in the camp as the rainy season causes problems with the flooded fields around the tents. Jamam refugee camp is approximately 80k from the North Sudan border. There are currently three refugee camps in the Upper Nile area housing 107,000 refugees from the Engassana region coming from North Sudan. South Sudan recently celebrated it's first independence anniversary. Over the past year repeated conflict with North Sudan, corruption scandals and economic difficulties have plagued the new country. Further problems caused by the shutdown of its oil production have led to a sharp decline in its currency and a rise in the price of food and fuel. South Sudan is one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world.

(Paula Bronstein - Getty Images)

11

South Sudanese tribal performers get ready to parade during a ceremony South Sudan's first Independence day on July 9, 2012 in Juba, South Sudan. After breaking away from Sudan last year, South Sudan is getting ready for its first independence anniversary celebrations. Over the past year repeated conflict with North Sudan, corruption scandals and economic difficulties have plagued the new country. Further problems caused by the shutdown of its oil production have led to a sharp decline in its currency and a rise in the price of food and fuel.

(Paula Bronstein - Getty Images)

12

Soldiers from the Sudan People's Liberation Army raise the flag of South Sudan ahead of a military parade rehearsal on July 5, 2011. In four days time, South Sudan will officially declare independence from Sudan.